Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

President Ulmanis condemned the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. Mr. Ulmanis called it "a provocative attempt to complicate Latvia's international relations." Prime-Minister Skele told the press that "the stupid provocation could lead to negative consequences in Latvia as well as well as outside the country." He positively evaluated the reaction of the Riga City Council and stressed the importance of restoring the Monument. Head of the Bureau for Protection of the

President Ulmanis condemned the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. Mr. Ulmanis called it "a provocative attempt to complicate Latvia's international relations." Prime-Minister Skele told the press that "the stupid provocation could lead to negative consequences in Latvia as well as well as outside the country." He positively evaluated the reaction of the Riga City Council and stressed the importance of restoring the Monument. Head of the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme Mr. Kamaldins told the press that two men killed by the explosion were former members of the "Aizsargi" paramilitary organization expelled for their radical views. Diena, B&B

The

The "Tevzemei un Brivibai" faction decided to extend Minister of Welfare Makarov's term in the office. The faction may cancel its decision on recalling Mr. Makarov from the Minister's post if the Saeima agrees to increase the pension budget. Diena

Russian border-guards detained underage children and their parents returning to Latvia on the border station of Sebezh. The children were registered in their parents' passports as Latvian citizens and did not have passports. The CID refused to comment on the problem.

Russian border-guards detained underage children and their parents returning to Latvia on the border station of Sebezh. The children were registered in their parents' passports as Latvian citizens and did not have passports. The CID refused to comment on the problem. SM

Rasma Karklina, an American political scientist, in her article argues with those who claim the current education policy to lead to non-Latvians' assimilation. She refers to statistical data that does not show a considerable inflow of Russian-speaking children to Latvian schools. Moreover, the number of ethnic Latvians studying in Russian-language schools exceeds the number of Russian-speakers attending Latvian schools. According to Mrs. Karklina, the

Rasma Karklina, an American political scientist, in her article argues with those who claim the current education policy to lead to non-Latvians' assimilation. She refers to statistical data that does not show a considerable inflow of Russian-speaking children to Latvian schools. Moreover, the number of ethnic Latvians studying in Russian-language schools exceeds the number of Russian-speakers attending Latvian schools. According to Mrs. Karklina, the Saeima tends to support an education concept similar to the one suggested by a group of Russian-speaking intellectuals in 1996. The concept provides for teaching of several subjects directly related to Latvia (the country's history, geography, etc.) in Latvian. Diena